Eynesbury homes appeal bid sparks fear

December 11, 2009

Updated: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 (11:01)

FRUSTRATED councillors fear plans for a 220-dwelling development in Eynesbury will be allowed to go ahead despite concerns over increased traffic and congestion. St Neots town councillors and Huntingdonshire District Council planners have opposed plans fo

FRUSTRATED councillors fear plans for a 220-dwelling development in Eynesbury will be allowed to go ahead despite concerns over increased traffic and congestion.

St Neots town councillors and Huntingdonshire District Council planners have opposed plans for more than 200 homes to be built on land west of Tesco in Barford Road.

The application was rejected by HDC planners, who felt it constituted "poor design" and an "inadequate and poorly-developed sense of character and variety" in the development.

They were also critical of the design of the roads, poorly-distributed affordable housing and poor access to houses on the northern edge of the site.

But George Wimpey East Anglia is determined to build on the site and has lodged an appeal, with a three-day hearing due to start in Huntingdon on Tuesday.

Councillor Jennifer Bird, chairman of St Neots Town Council's planning committee, said it would be a "real shame" if the development was allowed to go ahead.

She told The Hunts Post she was not opposed to homes on that site, but was against such a large number being built there.

"We agreed to allow 160 homes to be built on that site, but then the company came back with a higher density so we rejected it. It is the quantity of housing that we are opposed to. It would be a real shame if they won the appeal. It would lead to increased traffic and congestion and have an impact not only on residents of the new development but also those living nearby."

Ward councillor for Eynesbury, Cllr Steve van de Kerkhove, added: "I would like the land to be used for the community. Eynesbury is in dire need of a community centre and this could be a good site for it.

"Ideally, I would like to see a community centre for Eynesbury and further enhancement of the green corridor rather than more houses."

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: "We have responded to comments made by the local authority and made minor amendments to what we regard as an already high-quality scheme, which we believe will make a valuable contribution to the area's housing needs."

INFORMATION: Should the development be allowed to go-ahead? E-mail your views to editor@huntspost.co.uk or write to: Eynesbury homes development debate, The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TB.